Page 30 of Dreaming About Forever

His mom’s mouth pressed into a thin line, but her voice was lower. “Come eat. We’ll take care of the rest later.”

Clint and his dad filed into the kitchen, but Jordan hung back. Alicia stepped up beside him with a small wrinkle between her brows. “Couldn’t save it?”

“The calf,” Jordan explained.

Alicia’s hand rose to cover her mouth.

“It’s a part of ranching. Death is a part of life.”

“I know. It’s just sad,” Alicia whispered.

Jordan watched her, waiting on the walls to crumble. He’d seen girls fall into a fit of hysterics over the deaths of bunnies and squirrels, and he half expected Alicia to do the same over the calf.

But the waterworks never came, and Alicia lifted her chin. “I’m sorry. That must be hard. Seeing death when you spend your life caring for them.”

Jordan swallowed hard as his throat constricted. It was his family’s job to care for the cattle, and while it was unfortunate when they lost one, it wasn’t a traumatic event.

But it was his job to keep Alicia safe, and he couldn’t slip up–couldn’t step out of line even once. He was protective of all his clients. All people. Hired or not. But it was different with Alicia. It was more instinctual–ingrained in his DNA to protect her at all costs.

He’d come close to putting her in a situation that was out of his control today. That couldn’t happen again.

His mom was as tough as a dump truck. She was made for ranch life. Alicia wasn’t. She might not fall apart at the death of a calf, but this was an escape from reality for her. She’d get her fill of the rough life on this trip. She’d probably ask him to take her to get her manicure fixed in the morning.

He cleared his throat and gestured toward the kitchen. “Mom has dinner ready.”

“I’m starving,” Alicia said as she led the way to the kitchen.

His parents and Clint were settling down at the table, and his mom waved Alicia over. “Take this seat. What can I get you to drink?”

“Water would be great. I can get it myself if you’ll let me know where it is.”

“Sure. We have some bottled water in the refrigerator. Help yourself.”

Maybe Alicia wasn’t helpless. If she kept asking to do things for herself, his mom might turn the pop princess into a pioneer woman before the month was out.

Everyone settled in their seats, and Jordan’s dad propped his elbows on the table. “Let’s return thanks.”

Jordan snuck a glance at Alicia whose gaze darted around the table before landing on him. He bowed his head, showing her what to do. They’d have to have a conversation later about praying. His family wouldn’t stop praying, but at least he could get an idea about her feelings on the matter.

His father lifted his head when the prayer was finished and dug right into the stew.

His mom’s shoulders bounced as she turned her attention on Alicia. “So, I have to run over to the church after we eat. We’re decorating the sleigh for the Christmas parade. Would you like to join us?”

Alicia’s eyes widened. “Um. I don’t know. Who will be there?”

“Just the ladies from the church. Grant just finished building it, but it needs a few coats of paint and some accessories.”

Prayer and church within five minutes. The Taylor family was giving Alicia the crash course on Christianity.

“Mom, I think there might be too many people there. Alicia needs to lay low and be mindful of who she associates with in town. We don’t want to draw a crowd.”

His mom swished a hand in the air. “Don’t be silly. We’ll just tell everyone to keep quiet. It’s not like we’re a bunch of busybodies. We know how to keep a secret.”

Clint pointed his fork at their mom. “They didn’t wait two seconds to tell you when I let that pig loose in the school gym.”

His mom pointed a finger back at her son. “Don’t point that thing at me. Use your manners. And they should have told me what you did. You act like I wouldn’t have found out otherwise.”

Clint shrugged. “You’re right, but we could have skipped the part where you marched into the classroom and dragged me out by my ear. Talk about embarrassing.”

---